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I was so busy preparing for Rosh Hashanah, I had little time
to contemplate. Overwhelmed by the upcoming three-day chag; preparing menus,
cooking meals, hosting overnight visitors, and making last-minute dashes to the
grocery store, I had no time to think.
to contemplate. Overwhelmed by the upcoming three-day chag; preparing menus,
cooking meals, hosting overnight visitors, and making last-minute dashes to the
grocery store, I had no time to think.
I made a long checklist and detailed menus, crossing off
each item as it was done. Yet when I had completed everything, I felt empty.
Lighting the candles and welcoming Rosh Hashanah, I stood and watched the
flames flicker across the room. A new year arrived. And I felt unsettled.
each item as it was done. Yet when I had completed everything, I felt empty.
Lighting the candles and welcoming Rosh Hashanah, I stood and watched the
flames flicker across the room. A new year arrived. And I felt unsettled.
The tablecloth was white, the flowers lavender. Exotic
dishes representing the symbolic Rosh Hashanah foods filled the table: purple
beets, plump dates, bright orange gourds, sweet saffron beans and rice. It all looked
so festive and promising.
dishes representing the symbolic Rosh Hashanah foods filled the table: purple
beets, plump dates, bright orange gourds, sweet saffron beans and rice. It all looked
so festive and promising.
Our guests arrived and we all sat down to our meal. I looked
around and felt the same emptiness. And then it hit me. My eldest son was not with
us.
around and felt the same emptiness. And then it hit me. My eldest son was not with
us.
Weeks ago, when he first told me his army schedule, I knew
he was not going to be here. But I did not know how I was going to feel and
just how much he would be missed.
he was not going to be here. But I did not know how I was going to feel and
just how much he would be missed.
That evening, Jewish families around the world walked to
synagogue together, and over the next few days, they gathered for the special
Yom Tov meals, and relaxed in the afternoons. Yet here in Israel, where so many
of our sons and daughters are doing army service, there is a void. Knowing my
son was standing with a gun guarding a settlement while we feasted was
especially hard for me.
synagogue together, and over the next few days, they gathered for the special
Yom Tov meals, and relaxed in the afternoons. Yet here in Israel, where so many
of our sons and daughters are doing army service, there is a void. Knowing my
son was standing with a gun guarding a settlement while we feasted was
especially hard for me.
These are the times when the army sacrifice is most keenly
felt. Do these soldiers want to be standing on hilltop outposts? Or guarding
hostile borders? They would all rather be home with family and friends, yet
they realize they have the most important job of all.
felt. Do these soldiers want to be standing on hilltop outposts? Or guarding
hostile borders? They would all rather be home with family and friends, yet
they realize they have the most important job of all.
Going into this holiday, we all knew the political situation
here was tenuous and, as Observant Jews, none of us would have access to news
or phone calls for three days. But because of these soldiers, my son included,
the rest of the country was able to go to shul peacefully, pray, walk about
leisurely, eat lavish meals with friends and reconnect spiritually.
here was tenuous and, as Observant Jews, none of us would have access to news
or phone calls for three days. But because of these soldiers, my son included,
the rest of the country was able to go to shul peacefully, pray, walk about
leisurely, eat lavish meals with friends and reconnect spiritually.
It is in our soldiers’ merit that we can focus on this
connection. When I davened in shul, I closed my eyes tightly and begged for
peace. I want my son at my side. We all want our children home.
connection. When I davened in shul, I closed my eyes tightly and begged for
peace. I want my son at my side. We all want our children home.
The IDF is an extraordinary organization comprised of soldiers
from diverse backgrounds, each with unique stories. The Israeli Army recently
put out this heart-warming video wishing us all a ShanaTova.
from diverse backgrounds, each with unique stories. The Israeli Army recently
put out this heart-warming video wishing us all a ShanaTova.
During the holidays, we should pause and take the time to
think of the soldiers who ensure we can celebrate in peace.
think of the soldiers who ensure we can celebrate in peace.
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